After his recent release from the Grizzlies, reports say that Allen Iverson is set to retire.
I’m not going to get into the whole tribute and get all Kelly Dwyer emotional on you about the decision simply because this isn’t it. It can’t be. Anyone who has seen Iverson play lately knows that… except for the NBA.
If there’s anyone to blame for this mess, it has to start with the Detroit Pistons. The entire perception of A.I. changed since that nightmare of a stop practically ruined his career. He had the worst year of his career and joined the rest of the country in not being able to find work since. Iverson went from superstar to washed up seemingly overnight.
Just as we know it’s not time, Iverson knows that as well — “I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.” Again, this isn’t it, at least not like this. Not while Shaquille O’Neal is still getting work and I’m able to count 15 teams that AI should be starting for.
I honestly believe this move was made to spite the NBA. Iverson is a 10-time All-Star receiving little respect from those around the league. He has been mistreated for some time now and feels better off turning his back on a game that has turned its back on him. Maybe now they will realize what Allen Iverson was to basketball now that he’s gone.
send him to orlando fuck it
You’re right, they could use him. That’s one of the teams I included in the 15 that I said I could name. With Jameer Nelson injured, Jason Williams is starting… enough said.
Lou Wwilliams out 8 weeks with a broken jaw…….
Come back to Philly A.I!!
He is done with philly lol
nvm i take that back cause he would prolly play anywhere right now
I really really really hope he does NOT come back to Philly. I can’t believe I’m saying that but it would just be too sad. NOT because of any perceived decline on HIS part, but because of our lousy coach. Gilbert Arenas, who had to play under this loser, noted that a fast athletic team with good athletic players CANNOT run the painfully slow Eddie Jordan offense. There is no way that Allen Iverson fits in this horrible offensive scheme we have. I thought we were an up-and-coming team but our ownership is pitiful and this new coach set us back about five years. I think I would be very sad if Iverson came back only for this career-loser of a coach to try and shoehorn AI into an offense that this team is not meant to run. The only positives of AI coming back would be 1. I get to see him more than once/twice a season and 2. Hopefully he would have a falling out with the coach and cause the coach to resign in frustration so that we could get a decent coach.
Scheme?? That’s not in AI vocab haha. When the ball is in his hands he does what AI does, whatever the coach’s “scheme” is. BRING HIM BACK!!
Iverson would undoubtedly help the Sixers even if the “scheme” wasn’t a perfect fit. How can you disagree? He would also bring more people to the arena as well as media attention.
Believe me, I’m not a fan of the scheme, I thought that was clear! I hate this coach’s ridiculous offense because it is built for a different team. There’s a reason it works for Princeton and a reason why it is abysmal for fast, athletic guys. The Sixers look the best when they run circles around the other team, not when they stand in a circle and try to slow down things and pass. The reason is because they’re fast, athletic guys. I think AI would be a decent fit because he too is a fast athletic guy. If this coach would stop thinking he’s some kind of offensive genius, and just let guys play ball naturally, I bet we’d have 10-15 more wins at the end of the season.
Given the way E. Jordan was hired, I worry about AI’s longevity if he comes back as rumored. Yeah they’ll keep Allen awhile because they’re desperate to sell tickets and realize that they’re losing fans and season holders left and right. However, if it comes to AI v. E. Jordan, don’t be surprised if the Sixers organization makes the (wrong) choice to keep Jordan and let AI go. After all, the owner passed on GOOD, winning coaches to take a career-loser. Why? Because the career-loser was his buddy.
[Side rant: If I hate one thing in sports with a passion it's this buddy buddy crap! When the owner just "needs" to hire his LOSING buddy and pass up winning coaches. When the losing coaches just "need" to trade away good players and draft picks at the expense of the team to get "their guy," usually an under-performing has-been. AHHH I hate it! End rant.].
So when it comes down to it, I imagine that the Sixers ownership is going to be ineffective and awful as usual.